Safety-razor.



H. B. HARTMAN.

SAFETY RAZOR. 4

APPLICATION FILED IULY I, IsII.

l 247926. Patented Nov. 20, 191'?.

Witness HARRY B. HARTMAN, 0F SCOTTDALE, PENNSYLVANIA.

SAFETY-RAZOR.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented new. ao, ier a Application-filed July 7, 1917. Serial No.179,118.

To all whom it may concern Be it known that I, HARRY B. HARTMAN, acitizen of the United States of America, residing in Scottdale, in thecounty of Westmoreland and State of Pennsylvania, have invented certainnew and useful Improvements in Safety-Razors, of which the following isa true and exact description, reference being had to the accompanyingdrawin s, which form a part thereof. l

ly present invention relates to safety razors and particularly to safetyrazors of the type in which a blade is detachably secured in a holder orclamping device to which an operating handle isl attached. One mainobject of my invention is toprovide a razor, of the type referred to,with improved means for so connecting the handle to the blade holderthat the handle may be readily 'scribed preferred embodiments adjustedrelative to the blade holder to vary the relation between the activecutting edge of the blade andthe hand of the user, and therebypermit therazor to be held in any of the various ways in which different personsmay need or prefer to hold the razor to get the best results.

A further object` of the invention is to provide an improved form ofblade holder adapted to provide a yielding resistance to the clampingnut of my improved handle construction without requiring the iexure ofthe blade fon this purpose.

The various features of novelty which characterize my invention arepointed out with particularity in the claims annexed hereto and forminga part of this specification. For a better understanding of theinvention, however, and the' advantages possessed by it, lreferenceshould be had to the accompanying drawings and descriptive matter, in,which l haveillustrated and deof my invention. j

Of the drawings:

Figure 1 is a plan view of a complete razor.

Fig. 2 is a section taken on the line 2 2 of Fig. 1. A

Fig. 3 is a section taken on the line 3 3 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 4 is a perspective view of the handle connecting means employed inFigs. 1, 2 and 3. j

Fig. 5 is a section on the line 5 5 of Fig. 2.

' less Fig. 6 is a section taken similarly to Fig. 2, illustrating'amodified form of handle connectlon.

7 is a view similar to Fig. 4 illustratmg the construction employed inFig. 6.

Fig. 8 is a plan view of the bladeholder of an existing type of razor towhich my improved handle adjustment may be applied, wth parts in sectionon the line 8 8" of Fig. 9.

Fig. 9 is a transverse section of the blade holder shown in Fig. 8 withmy handle adjustment applied thereto.

In the drawings, and referrin'g first to the construction shown in Figs.1 to 5, inclusive, A represents the double-edged blade which may beeither flexible or rigid and is shown as provided with central notches Ain its ends. The blade A is received in a blade holder comprising afront plate B and a back plate or guard member C. The front platecomprises a body portion on top of which the blade A rests land uprisingend portions B', to which are hinged resilient lever arms B2, (whichnormally have their free ends opposite one another adjacent the centerof the body portion. The guard or back plate C normally lies between thebody portion of the front plate B and the arms 2, and is formed at itsends with lugs or teats C', which pass through the blade notches Af andinto apertures or sockets B3 formed in the front plate and thus fix theposition of the blade A with respect to the blade holding means. Asshown, the guard C is formed with comb teeth C2 and C3 at its oppositeedges.l The teeth C2 project a distance from the adjacent edge of theblade than do the teeth C?, and 1n` consequence it is `possible lto geta closer shave by using the edge of the blade guarded by the teeth C2than by using the opposite edge of the blade.

A threaded stud Cfr projects centrallV from the upper side of the 'backlate and when the parts are assemble passes between the adjacent endsurfaces of the arm portion B2 of the front plate. The parts are securedtogether and the blade secnrel clamped in place between the back plateand the body portion of the front plate B by means of a nut F screwedonto the studv C4 and pressing (indirectly) the free ends of the arms B2toward the adjacent face of the back plate. rlhe nut F, as hereinafterexplained, forms a part of my improved handle connection. The resilientarms B2 are offset as indicated at B4. In consequence when the free endsof the arms B2 are forced toward the front plate by the clamping nut,each arm forms, in eiect, a lever of the second class, having itsfulcrum at the point where it is connected to the body of the frontplate and applying power to the back plate at the foot tion B4.

The handle D comprises a body' portion which may be of any suitableform, and bifurcations D at one end of the body portion by means ofwhich the handle is adjustably secured to the blade holder.- As shown,the bifurcations D are curved, and areshaped to provide surface portionsD2 fitting against a spherical seat E formed inthe upper end of anannular follower or washermember E, which, in the assembled condition ofthe razor, surrounds the nut F and stud C* and directly engages the freeends of the resilient arms B2. rIhe bifurcations D of the handle haveadjacent parallel beveled edges D3 engaged, in the assembled conditionof the razor, by the conical pdrtion F of the clamping nut F. Above itsconical ortions F the nut F is formed with a globular portion. Inpractice, the globular portion of the nut F and they surfaces of thebifurcations D overlapping 1t are made approximately spherical withtheircenters of curvature approximately coincident with that of the sphericalseat E. In the assembled condition of the razor, the bifurcations D maybe sli htly spread apart by the wedge action of t e conical portion F ofthe nut F, and the'bifurcations thus gripped between the seat E and theconical portion F, so that the globular portion of the nut F is notnecessarily in gri ping contact with the bifurcations D. ubstantialconformity in shape of the surface of the lobular portion of the nut Fto the overapping surfacesv of the bifurcations D is of advantage,however, .in maintaining a guided relation of the parts in effecting ad#justments.

Loosely mounted on the washer E is a sleeve G. A pin E2 passing radiallythrough. and secured in the wall of the washer E, has its inner endworking in a longitudinal slot, F2 in the nut F, and its outer endworking in a longitudinal slot G in the sleeve G. The pin E2 thusprevents relative rotative movements of the nut F, washer E, and sleeveG, while permitting a limited longitudinal movement of each of thoseparts relative to the others. The pin E2 also normally prevents theseparation of the parts E, F and G, and thus minimizes the possibilityof accidental loss of parts of the razor when the latter isdisassembled. A spring H, mounted in a radial opening E2 in the of theoffset por` washer E has its opposite ends bearing against the adjacentwalls of the nut F and sleeve G. This spring creates al slightfrictional resistance to the longitudinal movement of any one of theparts E, F and G relative to either of the others. The sleeve G is shownas provided with a knurled rib or collar G2 to facilitate the relationof the sleeve G and thereby lthe nut F in clamping together the parts ofthe blade holder and releasing them. The sleeve G is formed at its endadjacent the blade holder with lugs 3, which may be moved intoengagement with the blade holder to thereby lock the sleeve Gand thenutF against rotation relative to therscrew stud C4. As shown, the lugsG3 are adapted to enter the space between the adjacent ends of the twoarms B2 or into notches B5 in the arms B2 when the sleeve G is rotated90 in either direction from either of the two positions in which thelugs Gr3 may extend between the ends of the arms B2.

In putting a razor blade in place, the nut F is unscrewed sufficientlyto permit the guard plate C and blade A to be put in place with the lugsC passing through the notches A in the ends of the blade A and into thesockets B3 plate B. After this, the nut F is tightened suiiiciently toclamp inserted blade in place. Then the sleeve G, which has previouslybeen elevated with reference *to the washer E and nut F, is moved downto cause the lugs G3 to enter the spaces between the ends of the armsB2, or the apertures or sockets B5; The handle D is then adjusted intothe position or positions preferred by the user. The adjustment of thehandle D thus provided for is 'practically universal, for ,the handlemay be rotated about the axis of the stud C? through a complete circle,and may be turned about an axis transverse to the stud 'C4k vto vary theinclination of the handle to the axis of the stud C4 through an angle ofabout 90.

in the operative condition of the razor, 1nsures a suicient frictionalgri of the bifurcations D of the handle between the conical portion Fyof the nut F and the spherical seat E to prevent accidental displacement 'of the handleunder the forces to' which the razor issubjected in normal operation. At the same time the flexibility of thelever arms B2 is such that the handle may be readily adjusted Withoutapplying any force thereto beyond that which can be easily applied bythe hands of the ordinary user.

- The locking of the nut F againstrotation through the engagement of thelugs Gq with the arms B2 prevents Iany disturbance of the nut F by thefrictional drag of the handle as the latter is adjusted.

the blade holder and in the ends of the front v The tension of the leverarm B2,

mames To remove a razor blade, the sleeve G is retracted, and the nut Fbacked off to sufficiently loosen the blade holder.

To facilitate cleaning the blade holder the nut F may be screwed off thestud C* so that' the arms B2 mav be moved entirely away from theirnormal positions, and, of course, the blade holder may be thus opened upto facilitate the insertion and removal of a blade.

The modified form of handle connection illustrated in Figs. 6 and 7differs from that previously' described onlv in the form of the nut andthe manner Aof interlocking the nut against rotation relative to thesurrounding washer E and sleevefG. In these figures the nut FA is formedat its lower end with diametrically opposed, radially extendingprojections F1, which pass through notches E3 and G4 formed in the endslof the washer E and sleeve G, respectively. The general operation ofthis form of my invention is essentially the same as that of the all) ofblade. holders than those 1 to 7, and in Figs. 8 and 9.

embodiment first' described. The nut F of Figs. 1-5 may be,': and isshown as being made in a single ieee,'while the nut FA of Figs. 6 and 7is s own as made of two parts to permit of its injection in the washer.As shown, the globular head F3 of the nut FA is riveted to the bodyportion F4 of the nut.

My improved handle connection may readily'be adaptedto use with otherforms shown in Figs.

I have illustrated the application of my improved handie-adjusting meansto an existing form of blade holder of well known type. The blade holdershown in Figs. 8 land 9 comprises a. front plate B15, having its rear`face curved and provided,v with a central' -threadedstud B1l1 andunthreaded studs B12 adjacent each end, which pass throughcorrespondingly located apertures in a flexible "double-edged blade A10.The blade is held in lace in this type of blade .holder by a bac orguard plate C15, formed with vcomb teeth at each edgeand with aperturesresion of the flexible blade A1", in any normal adjustment, insures asuicient `frictional grip on the bifurcations D to maintain the handle Din the desired position or positions, `during the shaving operation. Tolock the x mit F or FA, as the-case may be, against .apertures C1", di

rotation with the handle in adjusting the latter, the guard plate C15 isformed with erent pairs of which are entered by the lugs Gs settings ofthe latter. Certain features of novelty disclosed, but notclaimedherein, are claimed in my copending application, Serial N o.129,915 filed November 7, 1916.

In accordance with the provision of the statutes I have illustrated anddescribed the best forms of my invention now Vknown to in diil'erentangular out acorresponding use of other claimed features.

Having now described my invention, what I claim as new and desire `tosecure by Letters Patent, is:

1. In a safety razor, the combination of a body portion comprisingrelatively movable parts, a handle formed with a slotted portion curvedabout an axis perpendicular to the length of the handle, lscrew threadedclamping means passing through the slot in said handle portion andclamping 'said portion and the relatively movable parts of the bodyportion together, and means for releasably holding said clamping 4means'against unscrewing.

2. In a safety razor, the combination of a body portion comprisingrelatively movable parts, a handle formed with a slotted concavo-convexportion, scre v threaded clamping means passing through the slot in saidconcavo-convex portion and clamping said portion and the relativelymovable parts of the body portion together, and means for releasablyholding said clamping means against unscrewing.

3. In a safety razor, the combination of a guard plate, a front platehaving uprising end portions, arms pivoted to said end portions, andeach adapted to engage said guard .plate between the-ends of the arm,when the latter is in one position and each adapted to be swun away fromsaid position to-facilitate ceaning the razor, and clamping means actingbetween the guard plate and the free ends of said arms and adapted toyclamp in place a blade which may be inserted between the front and backplates.

4. In a safet razor, the combination of a guard plate provided with athreaded stud,v a frontplate, resilient arms hinge connected.v

to the ends of the front plate and adapted to turn into position` inwhich each` extends toward said stud and en ages said guard platebetween the ends of t e arm, and to be swung away from said guard plateto facilitate cleaning the razor, and a clamping nut on said stud forforcing said arms a ainst the guard plate to thereby clamp in p ace ablade which may be inserted between the front and guard plates.

5. A razor handle formed with a slotted concave-convex portion, andmeans for adjustably attaching it to a razor body provided withathreadedclamping stud, said lll() lllti annular seat for saidconcavo-convex portion, and means for releasably locking said nutagainst rotation relative to the stud on which it is screwed.l v

6. A-razor handle formed with a slotted concavo-convex portion curvedabout an axis transverseto the length of said handle, and means foradjustably to a razor body provided with a threaded clamping stud, said,means comprising a Washer formed with a seat for the convex side of said'curved portion, and a clamping "nut formed with a portion through saidslot and towwhich said washer is loosely connected Aand an enlargedportion for engaging said curved handle portion and clamping it againstsaid washer seat, and meansfor releasably locking said nut againstrotation relative to said clamping stud.

7. A-razor handle formed with a slotted portion curved about an axis-transverse.to the length of the handle and means for adjustablyattaching said handle to a razor body provided with a threaded clampingstud, said meahs comprising a washer formed with an annular seat for theconvex side of said curved portion, a clamping nut for forcing saidcurved handle portion against said seat and means carried by said nutand movable into and out of a position in which it may engage Va razorody to which the handle isapplied to thereby prevent rotation of thelnut relative to the clamping stud of said body.

8. An adjustable handle connection Yfor a safety razor blade holder,formed with Ya threaded stud, comprising in combination a nut adaptedwasher surrounding said nut andgmovable attaching said handle" extending`with respect thereto,

to screw on said stud, a f

axially with respect thereto, a handle adjustably inserted between saidnut and Washer, and means .movably connected to said nut and adapted toengage a blade holder to which said handle connection may be applied tothereby lock the nut against rotation relative to the stud of saidholder.

9. ,An adjustable handle connection for a safety razor blade holderformed with a threaded stud, comprising in combination a nut adaptedltofscrewl on said stud,- a washer surrounding said nut and movableaxially with respect thereto, a handle adj ustably inserted between saidnut and washer, a sleeve surrounding said4 Washer and axially movablewith respect to said nut, means preventing rotative movement of saidsleeve and nut, said sleeve being adapted to engage a razor holder toWhich said handle connectionv may be applied and thereby lock said nutagamst rotation relative to the stud of said holder.

10. An adjustab e handle connection for a safety razor bla e holderformed with a threaded stud, comprising in combination a nut adapted toscrew on said stud, a Washer surrounding said nut and movable axially ahandle adjustably inserted between said nut and washer, a sleevesurrounding said washer and axially movable with respect tosaid nut,means preventing rotative movement of said sleeve and nut, saidsleeve-being adapted to engage a razor holder to lwhich said handleconnection may be applied and thereby lock said nut against rotationrelative to the stud of said holder, and yielding means opposing axialmovement of said sleeve and` nut.

HARRY B. HARTMAN.

